FEASTS OF THE DAY

FRIDAY, 2 AUGUST, 2024

1) OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS OF THE PORTIUNCULA

2) SAINT PETER JULIAN EYMARD
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1) OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS OF THE PORTIUNCULA

August 2nd, is a special day for all Franciscans, as it is celebrated The Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of the Portiuncula. When St. Francis was discerning his vocation, he heard the Lord tell him, “Go and build my church”. Francis taking what he heard literally, went and repaired chapels that were deteriorating. The Portiuncula or the “Little Portion,” dedicated to St. Mary of the Angels was one of the three chapels he repaired. The chapel and the land belongs to the Benedictines for it was given to St. Benedict in the 6th century. However, the friars came to live at the Portiuncula in early 1211. It became the “motherhouse” of the Franciscans.

St. Francis felt that the Portiuncula was a place filled with God's grace. In 1216, at the request of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Honorius granted special privilege (plenary indulgence – a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins) to all those who would visit the little chapel.

Although limited to include from noon on August 1st to midnight on August 2nd, the privilege continues to be granted to this day; not only to those who visit the Portiuncula, but to anyone who visits any church where Franciscan Friars live and minister. To receive this privilege (for yourself or for someone else – living or deceased), in addition to the visit, one must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation within several weeks of the Feast Day, go to Mass and receive the Eucharist, recite the Our Father and Apostles Creed, and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.

DETAILS: In Assisi there is a small chapel (the Portiuncula) where St. Francis lived and where he began the Franciscan Order. It is now enclosed in a basilica in Assisi and the original structure of the Portiuncula is preserved. The beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli that now surrounds the Portiuncula chapel was begun in 1569 (completed in 1684) by decree of Pius V. It was meant to accommodate the huge crowds of pilgrims who came on August 2nd for Il Perdono (Portiuncula Indulgence).

It also contains the cell where Saint Francis died, the Chapel of the Transito. There is the “thornless rose bush“. When St. Francis was tempted by the Devil he reportedly rolled in the bush and it turned from a briar bush into a thornless rose bush. To this day there are no thorns on the rose bushes–but only here on this spot. Here, also, is a statue of Saint Francis to mark the spot where he talked to the doves. To this day, white turtle doves continue to nest in this statue.

The story is told that once while Saint Francis was praying here, Jesus appeared to him and offered to grant him a request. The humble saint asked for a plenary indulgence to be granted to all who, having confessed their sins and visited the chapel. The request was granted on the condition that such an indulgence meet with the Pope's approval. Pope Honorius III did grant the request on the condition that it only be honored one day each year: August 2nd. It is called the “Pardon of Assisi.“
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2) SAINT PETER JULIAN EYMARD

PRIEST AND FOUNDER

(February 4, 1811 - August 1, 1868)

His years as a Marist, including service as a provincial leader, saw the deepening of his Eucharistic devotion, especially through his preaching of Forty Hours in many parishes.

The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament began working with children in Paris to prepare them to receive their first Communion. It also reached out to non-practicing Catholics, inviting them to repent and begin receiving Holy Communion again. He was a tireless proponent of frequent Holy Communion, an idea given more authoritative backing by Pope Pius X in 1905.

Inspired at first by the idea of reparation for indifference to the Eucharist, Peter Julian was eventually attracted to a more positive spirituality of Christ-centered love. Members of the men's community, which Peter founded, alternated between an active apostolic life and contemplating Jesus in the Eucharist. He and Marguerite Guillot founded the women's Congregation of the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament.

Peter Julian Eymard was beatified in 1925 and canonized in 1962, one day after Vatican II's first session ended.

- From the 'Saint of the Day', Leonard Foley, O.F.M.

PATRON: Eucharistic Congress.

PRAYER: O God, who adorned Saint Peter Julian Eymard with a wonderful love for the sacred mysteries of the Body and Blood of your Son, graciously grant that we, too, may be worthy to receive the delights he drew from this divine banquet. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.